True Happiness: No Laughing Matter

“I laughed so hard, I cried.” When was the last time you made that statement and really meant it; when you laughed so hard tears welled in your eyes?

What does it take to be a truly happy person?

Being happy and reaping the rewards of happiness does not mean adopting a “Pollyanna” attitude. It is not smiling on the outside when you are really churning on the inside. Real happiness has more to do with effort than attitude.

In her study [.pdf], “Achieving sustainable gains in happiness: change your actions not your circumstances,” Dr. Lyubomirsky found that the secret to happiness is hard work not “quick-fixes,” and compulsive self-gratification.

“Effort and hard work offer the most promising route to happiness….engagement in activities that promote one’s highest potential…enterprise, exploration of one’s interests and overcoming obstacles are the secret to happiness.”

Be happier by working harder? It sounds like an oxymoron! Most of us believe the opposite…work less and we’ll be happier, but that isn’t what the research suggests. The key to true happiness is to work at what you do best; do the work you are meant to do.

Remember the book, “Do what you love, the money will follow: Discovering your right livelihood?” It advances the idea that we should follow our heart to make a living. Dedicating your life to work that does not enhance your unique gifts it generates dissatisfaction and stress, not happiness. Work at what you do best, devote yourself to that effort, and happiness will be the logical result; not doing less of what you dislike, but doing more of what you love.

Doing what you dislike also thwarts creativity and hinders helpfulness. If you are unhappy doing what your doing, it is improbable that you will want to share your work or feel energized to apply creative effort. Dr. Lyubomirsky describes happy people as more creative, helpful, and self-confident. Confidence builds when we work creatively at what we are meant to do, and then selflessly share our work with others. The pattern emerges: do what you love and creativity, confidence and helpfulness follows. You will be happier.

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